The Ottawa Senators are desperate to get back in the win column and they will have a great chance to do so tonight as they play host to the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo is coming off of a feel-good shootout win against the Washington Capitals, while the Senators have a chip on their shoulder from an overtime loss against the Red Wings.
Buffalo got the best of Ottawa in their first meeting of the season but my Senators vs. Sabres predictions have the hosts returning the favor.
Find out why in my NHL picks for Thursday, January 9th.
Senators vs Sabres prediction
My Senators pick
Senators to win in regulation (+101 at Pinnacle)
My Senators analysis
Despite their three-game losing streak, the Ottawa Senators were able to find some positives in their most recent game against the Detroit Red Wings. While they may have fallen in overtime, they got strong goaltending from Anton Forsberg, and they were able to come through on the power play.
Ottawa’s power play has been one of the team’s biggest strengths all season. They’re currently skating to a 24.6% conversion rate, which puts them at the eighth-best man advantage in the NHL. Their captain, Brady Tkachuk, has been an absolute mutant on the power play this year, tallying nine times, which has him tied for the third most in the league. Tkachuk and Drake Batherson have been the two biggest threats on the power play for the Senators, Batherson has tallied seven of his own tucks on the man-advantage.
When it comes to defending, the Senators have improved a ton this year compared to last season. At 5-on-5, they’re only allowing 10.08 high-danger scoring chances against per 60, which is the 12th best in the league. They also happen to have the 12th-best goals against per game, only allowing 2.90 against per contest.
Forsberg is likely to start in goal tonight and he is looking to carry the momentum he built last game where he stopped 30 of the 33 shots he faced. Ottawa has been a pretty solid home team this season, skating to a record of 10-6-1 in their own building.
This is a get-right game for the Senators.
Senators vs Sabres odds analysis
The Buffalo Sabres have really struggled on the road this season, as they’re 7-11-2 outside of the city of Buffalo.
Ottawa has much more offensive firepower and they have been carried by Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, and Drake Batherson. Stutzle has been a bit quieter in his previous few games, he has one goal and one assist in his last five games, but the assist came in the team's most recent game, so that should give him a bit of a confidence boost going into tonight.
The Sabres are one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL, so those three for the Senators should be able to generate some chances not only at even strength but also on the power play. At 5-on-5, Buffalo surrenders 11.20 high-danger chances against, which is the ninth worst in the league.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s numbers have not been very strong in his last three starts. In those games, he went 1-1-1 with a .865 save percentage and a 3.92 goals-against average. The Senators should be able to put some pucks past him tonight based on his recent play.
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Senators vs Sabres odds
Senators vs Sabres live odds
Senators vs Sabres opening odds
- Puck line: Ottawa -1.5 (+163) | Buffalo +1.5 (-186)
- Moneyline: Ottawa (-143) | Buffalo (-+107)
- Over/Under: Over 6 | Under 6
Odds courtesy of Pinnacle.
Senators vs Sabres trend
The Buffalo Sabres have lost five of their last six road games. Find more NHL betting trends for Senators vs. Sabres.
How to watch Senators vs Sabres
| Location: | Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON |
| Date: | Thursday, 1-9-2025 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN5 |
Senators vs Sabres latest injuries
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